Category Archives: Entertainment

Where’s the fun in fungible? | Could the toy industry be key to unlocking the potential of the NFTs market?

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For those who remember typing BRB into their MSN chat box, or anyone still wrestling with the WFH concept, there’s a new acronym in town, and it’s potential to shape the future of entertainment and the collectables space is boundless. It’s probably time we all got to know NFTs a little better.

Here’s The Insights Family to help talk us through the concept and what the arrival of Non-Fungible Tokens could mean for the toy industry.

We all know this generation of children are like no other, growing up in a world with an unprecedented level of access to technology.

Even by the age of three, an average 51 per cent of children globally own a tablet device, and by the age of 12, 69 per cent of kids globally own a mobile phone. This generation are as comfortable existing in a virtual world as they are the physical, and they expect a seamless integration between the two.

We have seen many key development milestones just as likely to be reached today in a virtual world as the physical; a child’s first concert for example could just as likely happen within the gaming platform, Fortnite as it could in a real-life venue.

As the physical and digital worlds blur for this generation of kids, we are also seeing children spending and earning money digitally via gaming platforms like Roblox, Minecraft and Fortnite. Kids’ identity now lives online, whether that be on a social media feed or materialised through digital purchases. For these kids, a cosmetic skin they purchased in Fortnite is as much about self-expression and personality, as the t-shirt they put on the same morning.

The speed of innovation in this sector continues to accelerate and its important brands stay ahead of the latest trends and opportunities.

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) are currently one of the most popular trends within the cryptocurrency market. A token which verifies legitimacy and singularity of a digital asset, they have primarily been used to sell digital art or assets, such as the first ever Tweet, selling for over $2.9m. The technology has since been adopted by major art auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s.

According to The Insights Family data, from Q1 2020 vs Q1 2021, there is a 11 per cent increase in kids as young as six to nine who have heard of cryptocurrencies. While information about blockchain is permeating throughout the kids ecosystem, it is still a relatively niche market.

However, as global adoption of cryptocurrencies continues to increase, brands are using the NFT as a real-world use-case for the technology. It’s currently mostly fashion brands – such as Gucci experimenting with NFTs, enabling consumers to buy and ‘wear’ their products via Augmented Reality or in-game on Roblox.

In fact, these fashion sales of clothing for digital versions of yourself are not news anymore. It is a long-standing practice, and a lot of video generate their main income through it. For example, one of the most popular games of recent years – Fortnite, is monetised entirely through cosmetic microtransactions.

What this means to you…

One example of potential NFT integration in the kids’ ecosystem could be as an extension of collectable items – for example, trading cards, a digitised version could be available as a token. The popularity of trading cards in general increased throughout the pandemic – from six per cent of kids aged three to 12 purchasing in Q1 2020 to nine per cent by December.

Within the toy space, in theory, anything in the digital world which has scarcity and value derived from that scarcity could be reimagined as an NFT.

For instance, some collectors are already spending millions on ‘NBA Top Shot’ – a website that allows people to buy, sell and trade basketball highlights as NFTs.

Every year the number of younger kids who spend more of their money online increases. In the UK, since the pandemic began in March 2020 the number of three to 12 year olds has almost doubled from 17 per cent to 28 per cent in February 2021. This, along with fast-paced innovation, means that it’s important brands stay ahead of the latest trends and opportunities.

Therefore, The Insights Family team of researchers, data scientists and developers have created the latest version of our platform, Portal 4.0, which will open more possibilities for brands. The new tools will enable brands to understand the attitudes, behaviours, and consumption patterns of kids, parents, and families.

To learn more about the attitudes, behaviour, and consumption patterns of kids, parents, and families, and to get freemium access to The Insights Family real-time data portal, please visit: https://try.theinsightsfamily.com/toynews

Team GB partners with Micro Scooter in latest deal from The Point. 1888

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The hit outdoor and wheeled toys brand, Micro Scooters has partnered with Team GB to launch an officially licensed range of Team GB Micro Scooters, now live on the Micro Scooters website.

Developed under a partnership brokered by the UK licensing agency for Team GB, The Point. 1888, the new range of Micro Scooters includes three variations: The Classic Team GB Micro Scooter, The Sprite Classic Team GB Micro Scooter, and the children’s Mini Micro Team GB Deluxe Scooter.

Prices on the new line range from £79.95 to £159.95. The partnership with Team GB marks the first licensed deal secured by Micro Scooters

In an announcing made via The Point. 1888 online platform, head of product and brand, Janine Richmond, said: “For me, this was a dream partnership with such paralleled values. I’m genuinely a massive fan of Micro Scooters – they are perfectionists with the quality of product and branding, which I’ve experienced first-hand having now bought most of their range for my children.”

The new range lands just months away from the much-anticipated Tokyo Olympics 2020 that, having been postponed owning to the pandemic, will take place this July under the same branding. It is expected that a massive 94 per cent of the UK population will be following the games this July and August.

“We know fans want to feel more connected to the brands they love,” continued Richmond. “The Olympics inspires us to become more active and get outside, so this is a great way of getting closer to the action through product.

“It’s so exciting to see the concepts coming through – the product range has surpassed all expectations. The Micro Scooters team are fuelled with amazing ideas of how to get interaction with their product whether on the track; through school programmes or fanZones; they are hugely committed to making this a success and are a joy to work with ….watch this space.”

Masha and the Bear scores new magazine and comic books deal with Panini across Italy

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New Masha and the Bear magazines and comic books are about to land at kiosks across Italy, thanks to a new partnership between Maurizio Distefano Licensing – the licensing agent for Masha and the Bear in Italy – and Panini.

Under the partnership, Panini will launch a new monthly, official Masha and the Bear magazine and series of comic books. The magazine is available at retailers now while the comics will launch on April 29th.

The Panini publications are all carefully designed to encourage reading among kids and will include simple and fun activities, stories, colouring-in pages and gifts. They can be found in bookstores, in kiosks and on the www.panini.it website.

The animated series Masha and the Bear is now a children’s classic, enjoying incredibly high levels of awareness. According to Parrot Analytics, a leading TV analytics company, the animated series was among the top five most in-demand kids’ shows in the world in January 2021.

It is also ranked third among the top favourite kids’ entertainment brands in Europe and MEA among children from 0 to six (source: Kidz Global, Jan 2021 edition).

Masha and the Bear airs daily on Rai YoYo. Its many regular showings have been a key factor in the enormous success of the series since its arrival in Italy. The episodes are also available on the Rai app Rai Play.

“This partnership between a leading Italian publisher of children’s magazines, books and comics and one of the most popular children’s series, both in the world and in Italy, is guaranteed to be successful,” says Maurizio Distefano, president of Maurizio Distefano Licensing. “Panini has developed some highly attractive products for Masha and the Bear, bringing together high-quality educational content and great fun! This magazine and these comics are perfect for their young target audience.”

Boat Rocker Studios secures two UK partners for The Next Step in Cooneen and Kennedy Publishing

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Boat Rocker Studios has detailed a UK licensing deal duo for its hit tween dance drama, The Next Step, partnering with Cooneen and Kennedy Publishing for clothing ranges and a magazine.

The garment designer, manufacturer, and supplier, Cooneen, has signed up for a new collection of apparel for audiences aged five to 16, with The Next step branded items across children and teen nightwear, loungewear including daywear, activewear, underwear, swimwear, and Snugz face coverings.

The range will be available from September 2021.

Meanwhile, Kennedy Publishing, a leading publisher in the children’s magazine sector, will launch a special one-off issue no.28 of ‘Totally Magazine – TNS Edition’ to launch on September 2nd 2021. It will carry insider info, cast news, interviews and fact/dance tips that fans of the show could wish for.

“The Next Step continues to have huge appeal and we’re delighted to be working with these best-in-class partners to offer fans even more choice with these fabulous new apparel collections from the award-winning team at Cooneen,” said Kate Schlomann, EVP brand management and content marketing, Boat Rocker Studios.

“Kennedy Publishing’s new magazine will be an essential read for all fans of the show, connecting them even more closely to the lives and journeys of the dancers of A-Troupe.”

Boat Rocker Studios is in production on some brand new at-home promotional content for CBBC. Specifically, a digital documentary that seeks to explore the experience of the black dancers of The Next Step, “Elevating Black Dancers” as well as three scripted promotional digital pieces that delve deeper into the drama of season season.

The Next Step, produced by Boat Rocker Studios, is an international hit, broadcast in more than 120 countries worldwide. It follows the trials, tribulations and triumphs of A-Troupe, a group of dancers at the Next Step dance studio. Now in its seventh series, the show has consistently been one of the most requested CBBC shows on iPlayer over the past five years, notching up more than six-million requests this year alone.

String theory | The enduring legacy of Gerry Anderson and creating sci-fi worlds

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If ever you needed an excuse to spend the day streaming episodes of Thunderbirds, Stingray, or any of the plenty other titles in the vast, yet iconic, library of Anderson Entertainment, then let the matter that today marks the first ever Gerry Anderson Day be it.

If you don’t need an excuse, then you’ll be pleased to know that this inaugural event marks just the start of a wider, far-reaching play being made by Anderson Entertainment as the company – headed up by Jamie Anderson, son to the creator of so much now familiar to the sci-fi genre today – looks to build on the rich heritage, nay, pedigree of the Anderson name.

From new content across the entertainment mediums – including audio stories and live action – and tantalising new IP, to its fast-expanding range of merchandise and more left-field licensing opportunities, which includes hotels and themed escape rooms, Anderson Entertainment is a family business with an enduring legacy and some major plans for building upon it.

Here, Robert Hutchins talks to Anderson Entertainment MD, Jamie Anderson about the heritage of a name, the enduring legacy of the series that pioneered the sci-fi genre, and how – when it comes to toys – the Anderson Entertainment portfolio is spanning the generations, as well as why now is the right time to be launching and celebrating Gerry Anderson Day.

Jamie Anderson is a respected writer, director and producer whose CV includes audio plays based on his father’s creations.

We’ve not failed to mention that his father is Gerry Anderson, creator of some of the most iconic and era-defining, as well as genre-defining, television and brand named in entertainment, including Thunderbirds, Stingray, Space: 1999, Terrahawks, and plenty more.

“I’m also MD of Anderson Entertainment, which deals with both the production and merchandising sides of my father’s business,” Anderson tells ToyNews. “I’m not only tasked with building on the continuing popularity of classic shows like Space: 1999, Thunderbirds and Stingray but my team is developing new audio and video productions based on established favourites like Thunderbirds and Terrahawks.

“We’re also building brand-new IP, like audio drama First Action Bureau and the sci-fi drama Firestorm. And there’s a fast-growing merchandising arm to manage! All of this has to be true at all times to the legacy of Gerry Anderson and his creative vision. So, there’s a little pressure…”

David Lane adjusts Alan in Thunderbird 3

And of course the product side has to connect with audiences across the many generations that Anderson spans.

“That’s right,” says Anderson. “One thing all audiences share is a love of the Anderson name, but we obviously differentiate IP and products depending on demographics: merchandise available ranges from model kits and dress-up to t-shirts and collectables. Ideas under consideration include limited edition, hand-coloured silk screen prints, nostalgia-driven publishing – there’s a lot of uncollected material out there – music content and even themed escape rooms.”

And, of course, toys.

“We have high hopes for an expanded toys and collectibles range – and not just for kids. Who doesn’t want to have a Thunderbird 2, a Stingray or a Space 1999 Eagle on their office desk?”

The range of IP to work with is pretty wide too. Anderson is about more than just the Supermarionation puppets of Thunderbirds and Stingray that made it famous. There’s live action like UFO, animated comedy like Dick Spanner and more recent output such as First Action Bureau, an audio sci-fi drama now on its second series.

Clearly, decades after he started out, the Anderson name still resonates. Hence the decision to launch Gerry Anderson Day on his birthday, April 14th. But the timing of the first Gerry Anderson Day is important for other reasons.

“More and more of Gerry’s classic shows are appearing on TV and streaming services; there will be special showings on Gerry Anderson Day. The classics are also enjoying strong sales on DVD and Blu-Ray, while new series and new product ranges are on the way. It’s a good time to celebrate the guy who started it all.”

The continuing relevance of Gerry Anderson’s work is underlined by written and spoken input from writers, stars, famous fans and guests on Gerry Anderson Day. But what inspired the creativity that they are all queuing up to praise?

“Dad’s main inspiration came from real life,” says Anderson. “Right from his early days he was fascinated by aviation. In fact many of the pilots in his shows were inspired by his brother Lionel, a flyer who was killed in the Second World War. But news stories, science documentaries, and things he saw in real life, including, on one occasion, a plane doing an emergency landing, inspired him too. He stored up hundreds of ideas – and many made it to the screen.”

And what about his own creativity? How far did the apple fall from the tree? Take even just a glance at the output that Jamie Anderson has to his own name, and it’s a strong argument that creation is genetically encoded into the Anderson gene. However, in his role at Anderson Entertainment, where do his focuses lay? Is is in IP creation, or spotting the right opportunities for the Anderson brands?

“It’s both,” says Anderson. “Obviously my own background as a writer, director and producer helps me to see opportunities for both new IP and developing existing IP.

“One of our big projects right now is a new series of audio books, the first of which is Thunderbirds: Terror from the Stars. It boasts impressionist Jon Culshaw, star of Dead Ringers and Spitting Image, as Parker and Jeff Tracy and Genevieve Gaunt of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as Lady Penelope.”

Many other audio books will follow, bringing early novelisations to a new audience with the help of some major names. Many of these actors – like Jon Culshaw – were themselves, childhood fans of Gerry Anderson.

“Famous fans like Jon – and Jonathan Ross, Eddie Izzard, John Barrowman and so many others – perfectly illustrate the fondness of so many generations for Gerry’s tremendous legacy,” adds Anderson.

That said, Anderson Entertainment has done lots of new work – against, it has to be said, some tough odds. “Dad would love the idea that we completed series one of First Action Bureau and the new audio book during a lockdown,” says Anderson.

There will be even more famous names featured in a forthcoming Gerry Anderson documentary – “the first serious, in-depth look back at his life, amazingly” – which is being produced by The Format Factory. Coming to TV screens in 2022, it will be, as Benjamin Field of The Format Factory puts it “an appraisal of a great and sometimes flawed man – honest, unflinching, but always fascinating”.

Jamie Anderson has been surprisingly busy given a year of lockdowns. What’s the first thing he’ll doing when all restrictions end?

“In work terms, I’ll probably be doing much the same as I was during lockdown: planning, having meetings, writing, directing – except that I can now do all that with real people in real studios and offices. And I suspect there’s going to be lots to do…”

90 year old confectionery brand Fruit-tella eyes Gen Z move into fashion, digital gaming and more

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The Italian-Dutch confectionery company Perfetti Van Melle and Licensing Matters Global (LMG), a London-based global licensing agency, have announced a long-term partnership to extend the 90-year-old candy brand, Fruit-tella.

Under the partnership, LMG will look to extend the sweet brand into selected lifestyle product categories via strategic licensing and retail efforts in the UK and Benelux.

Drawing from Fruit-tella’s DNA, the firm will be leveraging the brand’s strong associations with authentic fruit taste, playful colours and positivity to seek partner licensees in lifestyle categories such as fashion, health and beauty, scented candles, toys, stationery, travel accessories, and digital content. The partnership began in February 2021.

“At Perfetti Van Melle we are very excited that Licensing Matters, a brand expert with a genuine understanding of today’s market dynamics, will expand the Fruit-tella brand to innovative and authentic consumer products that are inspired by fruit and nature to offer the Fruit-tella fans more ways of enjoying the fruit experience they have been cherishing for 90 years,” said Christine Cool, licensing area manager of Perfetti Van Melle.

Felipe Noriega, VP and regional director EMEA, LMG, added: “We are thrilled to have been selected by the highly respected licensing team at PVM to help them execute this ambitious project.

“Fruittella’s strong commitment to sustainability and their relentless innovation to continue improving the health credentials of their popular treats are at the heart of our partnership selection process. We seek licensees that embrace and embody these core brand principles.”

Leila Loumi, global senior licensing director, LMG, added: “For young kids and tweens, we’re planning a fresh and colourful personal care range. We’ll be pursuing fun and vibrant make-up solutions for Generation Z-ers.  And we also plan to tap into Millennial and Generation X-ers’ sense of nostalgia for the Fruit-tella brand through fashion and digital gaming.”

Mattel partners with fashion company Zara to launch Barbie clothing collection

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Mattel’s iconic fashion doll brand, Barbie has launched a new clothing collection with the international fashion company, Zara in a deal that marks the first time the two brands gave come together on a bespoke collaboration.

The consumer products partnership will roll out globally online and in-store and includes an eight piece female activewear collection, including hoodies, jogging trousers, long sleeve tops, t-shirts, shorts, and swimwear.

The clothing selected by the Zara fashion team for Barbie to wear showcases new creative images that are printed on two different tees that make up a part of the bigger collection all available to purchase online and in-store globally.

Additionally, a limited-edition of Barbie dolls will be sold on Zara online. The collection features two dolls, each wearing statement activewear stamped with “Zara Barbie 1959.” The Zara Barbie doll wears a cozy oversized-hoodie paired with joggers.

The doll is fully articulated and includes a doll stand and will retail at €34.95 (£29.99) with all proceeds going to Spanish charity Entreculturas.

Lisa Weger, head of consumer products Europe, said: “Barbie’s newest collaboration with Zara, reflects the latest spring trends in great style, perfectly tied with the power of the Barbie brand. We’re excited to see it come together in a strong and accessible collection that will attract Barbie and Zara fans around the world.

“The new collection will anniversary a Barbie line launched in summer 2020 that included a range of colourful printed t-shirts and bodysuits that leaned on the heritage of Barbie and its logo aesthetic. These products were exceptionally well received with its customers and fans of Barbie, and this new partnership aims to build on this success.”

Kangaru Toys paints partnership with the National Gallery for drawing, painting, and activity sets

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Kangaru Toys has landed a new licensing partnership with The National Gallery to develop and launch a series of drawing, painting, and activity sets.

Under the deal, the new range will be specially developed for the National Gallery, bringing together Kangaru’s expertise in the arts, crafts, and activity sector, and the world-famous masterpieces in the National Gallery Collection.

The line-up will include Junior art sets and learn to paint sets, as well as Adult Art and colouring kits. It will all be branded under the National Gallery.

Kangaru Toys is one of the fastest growing toy brands globally, specialising in stationery, colouring, crafts, plush, STEM, and novelty toys. The Kangaru Toys range within the UK is being managed by Paul Fogarty at Two In One Direct.

“Kangaru is excited to join the National Gallery to introduce new artists of all ages to the National Gallery COllection,” said Joe DiPalma, founder and CEO of Kangaru Toys.

“We’ll supply children and adults with the right tools, pens, markers and inks, and canvas, while allowing them to be inspired by these great artists. Art kits and related supplied will bring the museum experience into homes and allow folks to explore their creativity while learning the stories behind the paintings and their narrative.”

Judith Mather, buying and brand licensing director at ther National Gallery, added: “We look forward to this new partnership with Kangaru Toys and the expertise it brings in developing this new range, introducing the National Gallery to budding artists of all ages.”

The range will be available in the National Gallery Shops and in art material specialty retailers over 2021.

Blonde Sheep Licensing kickstarts Golden Casket deal with new partners for sweet brand Millions

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Blonde Sheep Licensing has been tapped to handle the consumer merchandising programme Golden Casket’s popular confectionery brand, Millions, across select categories, including cupcakes, toiletries, and mini puzzles.

A family owned Scottish business established in the 1950s, Golden Casket’s product range includes Buchanan’s, Hills of Hawick, Millions, £Onepounders, Gibbs, Fudgy Wudgy, and Gilda. The business is one of the largest confectionery specialists in the UK.

Launched in 1990, the Millions sweets range was an instant success with kids and consumers and has since grown into multiple formates and flavours. Each flavour – strawberry, bubblegum, cola, apple, raspberry, blackcurrant, and tropical – pairs with a fun character, making Millions an appealing proposition for licensees and retailers.

Blonde Sheep Licensing has already secured licensees for toiletries, hand wash, sanitiser, cupcakes, nutritional supplements, and mini puzzles. Products will launch this summer through grocers, B&M, toy retailers, Amazon, and other online stores.

“We are delighted to be working with Natasha at Blonde Sheep. The range of licensed products they are working on is so different to confectionery, which is new, fun and exciting for us at Golden Casket,” said Sandra Fisher, sales and marketing director, Golden Casket. “Natasha has been very creative in all her ideas and always keen to mirror the fun, bright colourful side of the Millions brand in every way.”

Natasha Dyson, managing director, Blonde Sheep Licensing, added: “The reaction to Millions has been fantastic. Licensees are developing products that smell and taste of the sweets and are appealing to multiple age groups, which I’m sure will be a huge hit with consumers.”

MGA Entertainment partners with Riva Technology to launch LOL Surprise and Rainbow High mobile games

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The international toy maker, MGA Entertainment has signed a series of brand licensing deals with the mobile game developer Riva Technology and Entertainment to develop and publish a sweep of new titles based on the firm’s hit properties LOL Surprise and Rainbow High.

The move will see MGA Entertainment begin to tap into a global gaming market valued at $162.32 billion in 2020, and a mobile gaming industry that generated $13.2 billion in revenue in 2019. The global gaming market is tipped to reach $295.63 billion by 2026.

Riva Technology and Entertainment is a veteran in the gaming and IP business, having built gaming companies for over 20 years, along with securing and developing top licensing deals ranging from Hollywood, Bollywood, Sports and all the way to the world’s leading brands.

Meanwhile, MGA Entertainment’s LOL Surprise! is recognised as a global phenomenon, winning the Toy of the Year Award for three years. MGA’s newly launched Rainbow High debuted in 2020 and has already become a cultural phenomenon with a presence across product, content and integrated digital media.

“MGA boasts a diversified portfolio of leading brands, and it builds fantastic award-winning toys. Our vision of bridging the world of mobile gaming with consumer products and the toy culture is strongly aligned. I admire them for their consistent growth over the years and the incredible efforts they have accomplished, creating a universe that each of their collections represents,” said Riva Technology and Entertainment CEO and founder, Paul Roy.

“RTE always strive to associate with the biggest and the best and MGAE is certainly that. Details of the upcoming games will be announced soon.”

Isaac Larian, CEO and founder of MGA Entertainment, added: “We are delighted to partner with RTE who has a proven track record for working with the biggest IPs and delivering top quality results. Our digitally native fans want to experience our award-winning brands across all platforms and mobile gaming is a strategic focus for us in 2021 and beyond. It is MGA’s goal to expand both digital gaming and NFTs in a significant way.”